Under the patronage of the respected Dean of the College of Science for Women, Professor Dr.Sameera Naji Khdim , the Continuing Education Unit, in cooperation with the Department of Biology, organized a specialized scientific workshop entitled “Practical Methods for Studying Biofilm.” The workshop was presented by Dr. Zina Hashim Shihab and Dr. Sana Mohammed Habib.
The workshop addressed the scientific foundations of biofilm studies, describing biofilms as complex microbial communities that adhere to various surfaces and form a protected biological structure with significant implications in medical, environmental, and industrial fields. The presenters reviewed the most important practical methods used to detect biofilm formation and to estimate its density, including laboratory culturing techniques, the Crystal Violet Assay, as well as the use of selected microscopic techniques to examine structural organization and to analyze results statistically.
The workshop also focused on the practical applications of these methods in diagnosing device-associated bacterial infections, understanding antibiotic resistance, and their role in environmental research and studies of microbial pollution. Emphasis was placed on the importance of precision in laboratory procedures and controlling factors affecting biofilm growth to ensure reliable scientific results that can be confidently used in academic research.
The workshop witnessed distinguished scientific interaction from the participants through questions and discussions on mechanisms for developing practical skills in the laboratories of the Department of Biology , contributing to the enhancement of students’ applied competencies and supporting graduation projects and postgraduate studies. The workshop concluded by underscoring the importance of developing students’ and researchers’ skills in the field of biofilm studies and its role in supporting scientific research and improving the quality of scientific studies across various biological disciplines.
